More and more friends

Following the lead of other states that face a
fast-growing population and diminishing open space, New Mexico
residents recently established 1000 Friends of New Mexico. The
organization hopes to "encourage responsible land-use planning and
find innovative alternatives to the expansion of suburban sprawl,"
says Ken Balizer, a planner who is the group's founder and
president. The nonprofit group is modeled after one founded in
Oregon in 1975 (HCN, 9/5/94). Seven states, including New Mexico,
have now followed Oregon's example and developed 1000 Friends
programs; all are loosely affiliated with the National Growth
Management Leadership Project in Oregon. For more information on
the New Mexico group, contact Jim Norton, 320 Galisteo St., Suite
203, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505/983-3445).